Literacy Lines: Summer 2021
Greetings!

We made it! Not just through another school year, but a global pandemic that took us all by surprise. After over 16 months of all virtual classes, we are finally going to offer in-person classes again this coming fall. While online classes can be beneficial for a variety of reasons, such as learning or teaching from the comfort of your home, I know many of us are looking forward to seeing each other face to face again, especially after so long. LCNV staff members have already been coming into the office to prepare classes for the fall so students and teachers will be able to safely and comfortably interact. The 59th Annual Recognition Ceremony is coming up on September 1 and will be our first live event in almost two years!


Best,
Roopal Mehta Saran, Executive Director
LCNV's 59th Annual Recognition Ceremony
We would like to announce that this year's Annual Recognition Ceremony will be held in person at the James Lee Community Center Theater on Wednesday, September 1st at 7:00pm. This year’s theme is Learning Lights My Path Forward and will feature student speakers sharing the ways that learning English is impacting their future.

For the first time since 2019, we will be able to gather as a community to reflect on our achievements from the past year and the support that has been so graciously given throughout these challenging times. Join us for a celebration of our learners, partners, instructors, and volunteers as we reflect on our journey together and the people who helped us along the way.

This event will follow state and local health guidelines, and we will gladly support any additional precautions individuals may choose to take.
Enhancements to LCNV's Intensive English and Work Readiness Program
LCNV's Intensive English and Workforce Readiness courses are for beginning-level adult English language learners (ELLs) preparing to enter or advance in the American workforce. As part of our Destination Workforce® portfolio, these courses aim to provide the language and workplace soft skills needed to obtain entry-level employment and to participate more fully and confidently at work and in the community. Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing highlighted new opportunities for this program to better support ELLs in their path towards achieving their goals. Now with virtual and in-person offerings, reduced tuition, and a laptop loaner program, we hope to improve the overall quality and accessibility of the class.
New Online Class: English for Work
English for Work (Online) is a class designed specifically for Intermediate and above learners who are seeking employment. The course will cover some of the basic skills needed to apply and interview for a job, such as career inventory, job searching skills, resume writing, cover letter writing, practice with online job applications and mock interviews with a coach.
Dates of Class:
September 28 - December 16
Tuesdays and Thursdays
6:30 pm-9:00 pm

Register:
August 16 - September 10
Call 703-237-0866
Monday-Friday

Recap: A Taste of Literacy 2021
This year, A Taste of Literacy raised $61,950 from 393 donors! With the help of our corporate sponsors, the event raised over $80,000 to help further our mission. LCNV is grateful for your help to support equity and opportunity for English language learners in Northern Virginia. These gifts mean so much to us and to our learners who are working harder than ever to reach their goals.

If you didn't get a chance to watch it, you can view the video of the event featuring a ”taste” of what it is like to be learning a new language at LCNV, as well as a special Q&A session between our students and U.S. Congressman Don Beyer: A Taste of Literacy 2021
Nasrin Noor, LCNV Student (Afghanistan)
Registration for the Assessment Specialist Training is now open!

Learn to administer BEST Plus 2.0, the nationally recognized assessment tool developed by the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL). Certified assessment specialists help LCNV place learners in the appropriate classes by testing their proficiency at the beginning of each semester. They also help LCNV measure the progress of learners by testing them at the end of each semester. By becoming an assessment specialist, you will see first hand the tenacity and hard work of our learners! Participants from other organizations are also welcome to attend this training. Join us! Here are the details: 

Assessment Specialist Training
Part 1: August 11 from 5-9 PM
Part 2: August 18 from 5-9 PM
Location: Zoom
Instructor: Ashley King, CAL Certified Trainer and LCNV’s Admissions Manager & Registrar
Training Fee: $50 for LCNV Volunteers ($250 for staff or volunteers from other organizations)
Registration Deadline: August 2
Register: HERE

Questions? Contact Amy Tristan, Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator (atristan@lcnv.org)

This fast-paced and interactive training will equip participants to utilize both the computer-adaptive and print-based versions. Participants will become skilled at using the BEST Plus 2.0 Scoring Rubric and will have opportunities to practice administering and scoring the test.
 
Trainees must attend both evening sessions to be fully certified. Space is limited! Register by August 2!
Shop for a Cause!
We invite you to shop for a cause from 7/29 - 8/7 with Beautycounter! Independent consultant and friend of LCNV, Lindsay Adeyiga, will be donating 25% of all purchases via our custom link- https://bit.ly/LCNVFundraiser

Beautycounter is a certified B Corporation with a product line that includes skincare, sunscreen, cosmetics, personal care and more - all with an emphasis on educating consumers about safer and cleaner ingredients and environmental sustainability.

We hope you will check it out!

Feel free to reach out to Lindsay with any questions at Lindsay.Adeyiga@gmail.com.
Leave a Legacy of Literacy…

A bequest to LCNV supports our critical work helping adults with low literacy and language skills become more empowered in their communities. You may realize significant tax savings through your charitable bequests and giving. We would be happy to discuss the best approach for you.

For more information, contact Michael Mahrer at:
mmahrer@lcnv.org or 703-237-0866x109

Announcements

  • LCNV's fall semester begins on September 27 and will offer both in-person and online classes for adults! Register for fall classes from August 16 - September 10 (Call: 703-237-0866)

  • LCNV welcomes two new staff members: Nada Raja and Caroline Walsh. Nada is joining us as our new Academic Program Assistant, and Caroline as our new Communications Coordinator. Welcome to LCNV! Visit our website to learn more about our newest staff members.

  • You may qualify for a tax credit in Virginia. LCNV is an approved organization under the Virginia Department of Education's Neighborhood Assistance Program, meaning that businesses and individuals who donate more than $500 in cash or marketable securities to LCNV may receive tax credits in Virginia equal to 65 percent of their donation. Check out your eligibility!
2855 Annandale Road,
Falls Church, Virginia 22042
Tel: 703-237-0866 | Fax: 703-237-2863